Immigration Receipt Reversal Scandal Investigation Expands

The investigation into the Immigration Department embezzlement scandal involving reversed receipts at the Belize City office remains active tonight, as police and immigration officials continue examining what may amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in missing public funds.  As first reported by Love News on May 18, the scandal surfaced after investigators uncovered indications that more than eight hundred receipts may have been reversed within the department’s system without any refunds actually being issued to customers. Attention has since centered on one cashier assigned to the passport office who allegedly gained access to multiple authorization passwords required to approve receipt reversals.  At the time, Minister of Immigration Kareem Musa stated that he was convinced at least one individual should face criminal charges, while also acknowledging the possibility that others may have been involved depending on the outcome of the investigation. Musa additionally disclosed concerns that forged supervisory signatures may have been used as part of the scheme.  Today, ASP Stacy Smith confirmed that police investigations into the matter remain ongoing as authorities continue gathering statements and reviewing financial records connected to the alleged embezzlement operation.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “As it relates to immigration, what I’ve been advised is that an official statement has been given in relation to the missing documents, nationality documents, and as it relates to the missing sums of money, arrangements are being made to record a thorough statement in relation to that report. They have informed of certain things, however, a thorough statement needs to be recorded with particular and specific information and that is what the investigators and those persons are working on to get all the documents in order so that when the report is given, it is comprehensive.”

Minister Musa has indicated that the suspected operation appears significantly different from previous incidents within the department, describing it as a more elaborate abuse of internal electronic systems and authorization procedures.